Apparatus for separating sulphurets in ore-washing



(No Model.)

W. P. DEVAN. Apparatus for Separating Sulphurets in Ore Washing.

No. 242,610. Patented June 7,1881.

INVENTOR WITNESS p M, a M

N. PETERS. Pfmw Ulhugn'yh. washmgiun. D. C,

NITED STATES PATENT WILLIAM F. DEVAN, OF GWIN MINE, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SULPHURETS IN ORE-WASHING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,610, dated June '7, 1881.

Application filed July 14, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

I a plan view of my improved apparatus. Fig.

2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on line :0 a, Fig. l; and Fig. 4 is a similar View on line y 1/- Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A A are tanks fitted above the sluices B, and provided with gates at, whereby their contents may be discharged into the sluices, as desired.

1) I) are boxes fitted above each tank A, for containing and supplying water to the tanks by the gates c in boxes I), or pipes c from boxes b.

(Z (Z are similar water-boxes resting on the sluices B, for supplying water thereto.

0 is the pulp-box, extending from one tank A to the other, and fitted with gates f f above the tanks. The tanks A are provided at their ends with removable boards 9, which may be taken out to give access to the tanks, and replaced when the tanks are to be filled.

O G are the boxes for saving the sulphurets. These are formed as continuations of the sluices B, and are fitted with rit'fles h at suitable distances apart.

dis a drainage-trough fitted at the under side of boxes 0 and communicating therewith by openings It.

In operation the pulp from the stamp-mills is led to the 'pulp-box'c, and by opening one of the gates f the pulp enters one tank A. The gate 0 of the water-box I) is then to be opened, and the end boards. 9, of the tank put in place as the tank fills with pulp.

It will be seen that during. the filling any amount of water required for the washing can be supplied. The tank A being filled, the gate in the pulp-box e isclosed and the other gate, f, opened to discharge the pulp to the other tank, in which the washing will be carried on, as described. The separation of the snlphurets from the pulp in the tank first filled proceeds at the same time. The gates at are hoisted to run the contents of the tank into the sluices B and boxes 0, water being at the same time admitted from box I) by the pipes c, which discharge close to the gates a, so that the pulp is carried out freely. At the same time water is admitted to the sluices B from boxes 6?, to carry the pulp into boxes 0, where the final washing and separation is done. The sand and sulphurets will settle and be retained in the bottoms of the boxes 0, while the water passes out at the ends of the boxes. After the boxes U have drained out by the trough '5 the sand and sulphurets are to be taken out and washed in a buddle. The collections of low-grade ore may be dumped into the head of the sluices B, for working with the pulp at the next washing, and the refuse from the buddies may also be worked over in the same manner.

By this apparatus but a small percentage of ,the sulphurets need be lost.

The boxes 0 may be extended to anylength required for proper separation.

These works may be constructed comparatively cheap.

By the use of the tanks, constructed as de scribed, the useless sediment is first removed without loss of sulphurets, and the subsequent separation rendered easier. The separate tanks allow continuous work of separation without interrupting the flow of pulp from the mill.

- Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The apparatus for washing vores for the separation and saving of the sulphurets, consisting of pulp-tanks A, provided with discharge-gates a, removable boards 9, and watersupply boxes I) I), combined with the sluices B and washing-boxes (J, for operation as specified. 2. The boxes 0, provided with rit'fies h and water-boxes (I, combined with the pulp-tanks A and sluices B, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

WILLIAM FRANCIS DEVAN. Witnesses:

CHARLES B. HIGBY, WESLEY K. BoUoHER. 

